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Lot Essay
SEIKO WILLARD
First released in 1968, the Seiko “Captain Willard” Ref. 6105 was launched during the Vietnam conflict and was produced in two series. The first series Seiko 6105-8000/8009 was in a cushion shaped case, and is very rare today. While it is a much sought after example for the most intense Seiko collectors, it never gained the admiration of the Second Series 6105-8110/8119, which is the presently offered Lot.
Seiko ref. 6105 dive watches are nearly indestructible and were certainly up to the task for military use. In fact, so many were sold to military members, that upon returning to the US, they quickly began gaining respect amongst professional and amateur desk and water divers. It was further immortalized in 1979 when the legendary movie Apocalypse Now debuted showing Martin Sheen’s character Captain Willard wearing the 6105 prominently on his wrist.
The offered lot is possibly the most original example ever to be seen. The watch was purchased new at the Navy Exchange FAR EAST TRADER on April 5, 1975 according to the original receipt and Lay-Away-Ticket. The watch appears to be unworn, with minimal “shop wear” still with its original tropic strap, signed buckle, hang tag, inner/outer boxes and even the brown paper bag it was put in when the lay away ticket was met. Discovered by seasoned picker Albert Coito, who has an interest in dive equipment, found the brown paper bag’s contents at the bottom of a large military duffle underneath the targeted dive equipment, as well as the original purchasers military uniform that accompanies this watch.
First released in 1968, the Seiko “Captain Willard” Ref. 6105 was launched during the Vietnam conflict and was produced in two series. The first series Seiko 6105-8000/8009 was in a cushion shaped case, and is very rare today. While it is a much sought after example for the most intense Seiko collectors, it never gained the admiration of the Second Series 6105-8110/8119, which is the presently offered Lot.
Seiko ref. 6105 dive watches are nearly indestructible and were certainly up to the task for military use. In fact, so many were sold to military members, that upon returning to the US, they quickly began gaining respect amongst professional and amateur desk and water divers. It was further immortalized in 1979 when the legendary movie Apocalypse Now debuted showing Martin Sheen’s character Captain Willard wearing the 6105 prominently on his wrist.
The offered lot is possibly the most original example ever to be seen. The watch was purchased new at the Navy Exchange FAR EAST TRADER on April 5, 1975 according to the original receipt and Lay-Away-Ticket. The watch appears to be unworn, with minimal “shop wear” still with its original tropic strap, signed buckle, hang tag, inner/outer boxes and even the brown paper bag it was put in when the lay away ticket was met. Discovered by seasoned picker Albert Coito, who has an interest in dive equipment, found the brown paper bag’s contents at the bottom of a large military duffle underneath the targeted dive equipment, as well as the original purchasers military uniform that accompanies this watch.